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Rains Submerge Kenyan Coast, Displacing Over 20,000
In the wake of relentless heavy rains and floods that have plagued Kenya’s coastal region last weekend, the death toll rose to 10 confirmed fatalities, with dozens more missing. The relentless downpours have caused widespread devastation, displacing over 20,000 families across four counties: Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, and Tana River.
Tragically, on Sunday, the bodies of two employees from Kenya’s tax agency were recovered after they were swept away by the raging flood waters while driving in the coastal region on Friday. The Kenya Coast Guard also retrieved the body of a man who met a similar fate while riding his motorbike.
The impact of the floods extends far beyond the tragic loss of life. Over 20,000 families have been displaced across the four affected counties of Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, and Tana River, their homes and livelihoods ravaged by the relentless waters.
The Coast regional police commissioner, Rhoda Onyancha, painted a grim picture of the devastation, describing how entire communities have been uprooted, their lives turned upside down by the floods. The displaced families are now facing an uncertain future, seeking refuge in makeshift shelters and grappling with the loss of their belongings and livelihoods.
The El Niño-induced floods have not confined their wrath to Kenya. Neighboring countries, including Somalia and Ethiopia, have also been severely affected, with dozens more fatalities reported. The region is facing a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions, with thousands of people in dire need of assistance.
The Kenyan government has mobilized resources to provide aid to the affected communities.
Eight Swept Away by Raging Waters in Makueni County
A group of eight people were swept away by raging waters after they tried to cross the flooded Muuoni River in Emali, Makueni County, on Thursday night.
The eight were attempting to cross the swollen river when they were swept away.
The tragedy happened when the eight were crossing from Kavuthu to Mutyambua.
“They were crossing from Kavuthu to Mutyambua. They alighted from the bus after the bus driver got cold feet and decided not to cross the swollen river. Some of the passengers took shelter at the Kavuthu shopping centre to wait for the waters to subside but the seven victims decided to cross the river,” Kavuthu Chief Norman Musyoki said.
The victims were part of a larger group returning home after a meeting with First Lady Rachel Ruto in Kasarani, Nairobi.
According to the Chief, they are still establishing the exact number of people who were swept away.
The Red Cross team and the County disaster team said they had deployed a rescue and search team to the area.
Musyoki urged people to be cautious during the rainy season to avert any tragedy.
So far, at least 16 people in Makueni have died as a result of the ongoing Elnino rains, according to a report from Red Cross and the County Strategic Unit.
KCSE Exam Invigilator Dies in Helicopter Accident
A somber scene unfolded Tuesday in Masalani, Ijara, Garissa County, as a teacher tragically met his end after being struck by helicopter blades. The deceased, an invigilator for the ongoing 2023 Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, had just retrieved the day’s exam papers from the deputy county commissioner’s office when the fateful encounter occurred.
Garissa County Commissioner Solomon Chesuti recounted the events leading up to the incident, stating that the teacher was in close proximity to the helicopter during its takeoff. As the rotors whirred into motion, the unsuspecting teacher was swept into the blades’ deadly path.
“We believe he moved too close to the helicopter as it took off,” Chesuti explained. “He was hit by the propellers and suffered fatal injuries.”
Chesuti assured the public that the matter was under investigation by the police, and that the teacher’s body would be released to his family for burial in accordance with Muslim tradition.
This tragic event followed closely on the heels of two separate helicopter accidents that occurred in neighboring Wajir County the previous day. In the first incident, a helicopter carrying Arabajahan MCA Abey Jimaale crashed at the Wajir Airport runway during takeoff. Fortunately, Jimaale and the two pilots on board escaped with injuries and were transferred to Nairobi for further treatment.
Later that afternoon, a Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) helicopter, engaged in a humanitarian mission to deliver food supplies to flood-stricken families in Buna Town, Wajir North, met with a similar fate. Several individuals, including pilots and teachers, sustained injuries in the crash and were rushed to Buna Sub-county Hospital for medical attention.
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